Mission of 4 South Sudan: Provide Clean Water, Education, Health Care, and Nutrition to the world's most vulnerable people in South Sudan

You can help Olympic runner Lopez Lomong and others to change lives and bring healing to Southern Sudan.World Class athlete, Lopez Lomong, is partnering up with World Vision to offer care, support, and a better future to families in South Sudan recovering from a legacy of warfare.Through the 4 South Sudan project, World Vision is bringing hope to families who face the realities of poverty and the lingering impact of daily violence.

Lomong knows the reality of war and poverty first hand. Taken from his family by rebels at six year old and forced to join the Peoples Liberation Army during the Sudanese conflicts, Lomong escaped and ran through the African plains to a refugee camp in Kenya. In the camp he lived on mere rations for many years as a “Lost Boy” from Sudan before being relocated to the United States.

Now an elite athlete and two-time Olympian, Lomong wants to bring hope and opportunities he has experienced to his home country.

South Sudan, the worlds youngest country, faces many challenges associated with nation building. Over half of the population lives in poverty and most communities lack basic infrastructure. Our goal is to change a generation by creating long term solutions at the local level. We focus on 4 major resources needed by the local communities. Join our team and make a difference in thousands of lives in South Sudan!

1. Clean Water

In Africa they say water is Life! Many women and children walk over 5 miles to fetch water for their families. This journey puts them at peril of attack or rape, and the water is often contaminated. It only takes $50.00 to provide clean water to a person for life! Easy access to water and sanitation facilities keeps children healthy and prevents life threatening diseases. By providing safe drinkable water it allows children to go to school instead of trekking miles to the nearest water source.

2. Education

Only 27% of the population can read and only 16% of women can read. In rural areas these statistics are even lower. By providing schoolhouses and teachers the young generation can begin to change the country. With 51% of the population below the age of 18 this will have a major impact on the future of the country. In addition we build vocational training centers in local communities that focus on teaching women valuable trades allowing them to support their families.

3. Health Care

Basic education about sanitation can prevent thousands of deaths a year. From education water purification, to use of mosquito nets and basic medications. Only a meer 17% of the population has received the vaccinations recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and this is just one of the reasons why the people of South Sudan are among the world's most endangered population for major infectious disease. Malaria is the leading cause of death and illness in South Sudan

4. Nutrition

South Sudan has abundant resources and fertile land. From oil to precious minerals much of the countries wealth lies beneath the group. In addition, much of the land is lush and can be cultivated to provide sustenance for the communities. By teaching basic skills of cultivation and water management communities can sustain themselves from their land and build surpluses to protect against natural disaster and drought.

Lopez Lomong Foundation is a pending 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All donations are expected to be tax deductible in full or in part upon approval of the application.World Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice.Source: Statistics about South Sudan taken from the CIA World Factbook: South Sudan (2012) and the South Sudan National Baseline Household Survey (2009).